Stroke changing mechanism



sept. 19, 1933. R. H. CARTER 1,927,307

STROKE CHANGING MECHANISM Filed July 5, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet l l l l l ll l l l gwmmtoz sep1.19,1933. R. H. @Am-Ea 1,927,307

STROKE CHANGING MECHANISM Filed July 5, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 19,1933. R H CARTER A 1,927,307

STROKE CHANGING MECHANI SM Filed July 5, 1952 slsneets-sheet sgru/vanto@ P450/7H Kaffe/1 www Patented Sept. 19, 1933 UNITED STATI-:s

PATENT OFFICE to American Glanzstoi Corporation,

New

iYork, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application July 5, 1932. SerialNo. 620,934

7 claims.

My present invention relates to improvements in machines for themanufacture of threads. and filaments and more particularly to a strokechanging means, whereby the length of throw of the thread guide meansfor said machine may be changed automatically during the operationthereof.

In the production of threads and the like of the type which is producedby the regeneration of cellulose or from compounds thereof, it isusually necessary to impart to the thread a definite twist which mayvary in amount depending upo'n the type of thread produced. Toaccomplish this the thread is led upwardly from a twisting spool, overan oscillating or reciprocating thread guide, and Wound on a take-upspool driven by what is known as a take-up roller. The mechanism used toimpart to the thread guide the desired movement has been found to berather un- 2@ satisfactory. A crust is formed on each end of the yarnbody which prevents the liquids used in the after treatment of the yarnfrom passing therethrough. This crust formation is particularly evidentwhen a cylindrical wind is used and is due, in part, te thefeet that thethread at eeen end of the spool has a tendency to slip and to bunchforming a thickness of yarn which is, for all practical purposes,impermeable to the treating liquids.

It is, therefore, an object of my present invention to provide meanswhereby the length of stroke may be progressively decreased during thewinding ofvthread on a take-up spool, and by this method provide a yarnbody having evenly tapered ends through which the treating liquids willflow evenly.

Another object of my present invention is to provide a suitableattachment for progressively reducing the length of the thread guidestroke, and which may be easily attached to a twisting or other machine,the attachment thereof necessitating very few changes in thedesigns ofthe standard machines now in use.

A further object of my present invention is to provide an automaticstroke changing attachment for a twisting or other machine by which thethread Wound on the take-up spool is built up ment of the strokechanging device will produce the desired results.

A still further object of my present invention is to provide a strokechanging device which automatically increases or decreases the length ofstroke of the thread guide by constantly varying the length of throw ofthe thread guide actuating means.

These and other objects of my present invention will become moreapparent from a study of the following description, and by reference tothe following drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a view of one end of a machine, in this instance a twistingmachine, and showingthe relation of the automatic stroke changing devicethereto;

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the same;

Figure 3 is a detailed view of the automatic stroke changing devicemechanism;

Figure 4 is a sectional View taken along the lines 4 4 of Figure 3; and

Figure 5 is another sectional view taken along the lines 5--5 of Figure3.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figure 1, I haveshown a take-up s@ spool 10 driven by a conventional take-up roller 11.The thread is distributed on the outer surface'of the spool by means ofa thread guide 12 which is secured to an oscillating or reciprocatingthread guide rod 13 journalled in a bearing 14 located on the standardor other support 15. The thread is led upwardly from the twisting spool16 secured to a suitable spindle mounted on the member 17 which extendsthe length of the machine.

The desired motion is imparted to the thread guide rod by means of abarrel cam 18 secured to the shaft 19 and which is driven from anysuitable source of power (not shown). It is to be understood, however,that cams of any standard type may be used if desired. A lever 20 ispivotally mounted on the bracket 21 and is provided, at one end, with acam follower which rides in the cam track 22. A second lever 23 ispivotally mounted on the bracket 24 and is connected to the upper end ofthe lever 20 by a connection to be hereafter, described. A link 25connects the thread guide rod to the lever 23 and prevents theoccurrence of any binding action between the thread guide rod andactuating lever. The length of thread guide stroke depends upon thedesign of the cam, and upon the lever arms 20 and 23 of the traversethread guide rod 13 and inthe embodiment shown the length of strokecorresponds to the distance A and is governed by the distance C-C or theeffective width of the cam track.

The stroke changing device, designated generally by the referencecharacter 26, is bolted or otherwise secured to the upper end of thelever 20. The lower end of the lever 23 is provided withelongated slot27, in which is movably secured a bolt 28 having a threaded opening 29formed at one end thereof in which the end 30 of the shaft 31 of thestroke changing device is threaded. The oscillation of the lever 20imparts a similar oscillation to the lever 23. At each oscillation theshaft 31 is turned moving the ,bolt in the elongated slot formed in thelever 23. Hence with each oscillation of the lever 23 the connectionbetween the lever is constantly moved changing the pivotal point thereofand thus changing the arc in which the said lever oscillates.

The turning of the shaft is obtained by securing the handle or arm 32 ofthe stroke changing device to a link 33 which is pivotally secured tothe up-standing arm 34 of the bracket 21. The handle or arm is slotted,providing an adjustable connection between the said arm and link. v Witheach oscillation of the thread guide` actuating means the arm 32 throughmechanism to be hereafter described causes the desired rotation of theshaft.

Referring now moreparticularly to Figures 3, 4 and 5, I have shown indetail the operative construction of the stroke changing device. Theattachment consists of a housing or casing 35 having formed in thebottom thereof an opening or bore 36 in which is journalled the shaft31. The handle or arm 32 is rotatably mounted on a horizontallyextending shaft 37 to which is keyed or otherwise secured a ratchet 38actuated by a pawl 39 mounted in a housing 40 formed in one end of thehandle or arm 32. A spring 41 is positioned between the enlarged end ofthe pawl and the rear wall of the housing 40 and resiliently holds thepawl in engagement -with the ratchet. The outer end of the pawl isprovided with a knob 42 which is provided, if desired, with a knurledportion 43. The outer end of the pawl is also provided with projectingkeys or lugs 44 adapted to be located in the slots 45 formed in the endof the lever. By this construction the pawl, when it is desired to throw-the attachment out of operative engagement,

may be moved against the pressure of the spring to an extent sulcient toremove the keys or lugs from the slots. By then turning the pawlslightly the keys or lugs will be moved out of engagement with the saidslots and will rest against the 'end of the lever, thus holding the pawlout of engagement with the ratchet. Mounted in a a housing 46, formed inthe main housing or casing. is a pawl 47 which is held in engagementwith the teeth of the ratchet by means of a spring 48. The direction inwhich the attachment operates is controlled by the direction of theratchet teeth and the direction in which the pawls 39 and 47 are set.The pawl 47 is provided to hold the ratchet against movement while thepawl 39 is moving in the reverse direction.

A worm 49 is secured to the shaft 37 and meshes with a worm gear 50rotatably mounted on the vertically extending shaft 31. Washers arepositioned between the worm gear and the bottom of the housing, andthe-shaft is provided with a shoulder 51 directly above the said wormgear to prevent any upward or downward movement thereof.

shown in Figure is used The rotary movement of the worm gear istransmitted to the shaft 31 by means of a clutch mechanism designatedgenerally by the reference character 52. The worm gear is provided withan upwardly extending section in which a plurality of recesses 53 areformed. A sleeve 54 is secured by means to be hereafter described to theshaft 31 and is provided at its lower end with a plate havingdownwardly-projecting lugs 55 which engage in the recesses 53. A clutchknob is secured to the upper end of said'sleeve by means of the bolt orscrew 57.

Wrench engaging means 58 are formed on the upper end of the shaft 31 anda vertically extending groove 59 is provided directly therebelow inwhich the spring pressed ball 60 located inthe housing 61 is adapted toride. This spring pressed ball acts as a key to connect the shaft 31 andthe sleeve together, and also performs the additional function of asafety device. If the operative parts of the stroke changing devicebecome jammed, or if there happens to be any binding of the device, theball will be forced out of engagement with the vgroove stopping furtherrotation of said shaft. Consequently any damage to the device will beavoided.

To enable the clutch to be held in either operative or inoperativeposition I have provided the sleeve with a pair of annular grooves 61and 62 in which the spring pressed ball 63, located in a housing 64formed in the cover plate 65, may selectively engage. The cover plate isbolted or otherwise secured to the casing 35. 'Ihe shaft itself is heldagainst vertical movement by any suitable means such as a lockingarrangement 66.

In operation oscillatory motion is imparted lto the levers 20 and 23 bymeans of the cam. Since the link 33, secured `to the handle or arm, isfixed relative to such movement and the attachment is bolted to thelever 20, each oscillation of said levers will cause the ratchet to bemoved by the pawl 39 rotating the worm and worm gear. 'Ihis motion istransmitted to the shaft through the clutch mechanism 52 and sleeve 54.Since the bolt 28 connecting the levers 20 and 24 is threadedly securedto the lower end of the shaft the normal rotation of the latter willcause the bolt to be moved downwardly in the slots formed in said leversshortening the distance between the pivotal point of the lever 20 andthe said bolt 28. This will necessarily result in decreasing theoscillation of the lever causing a corresponding decrease in the lengthof stroke of the thread.

guide rod. By this operation of the stroke changing device the threadlayers will be built up as 1, starting at A and ending the doif at B.

The stroke changing device may be thrown out of operation either bylifting the pawl 39 out of engagement with the ratchet or by raising theclutch knob 57. The raising of the clutch knob will move the sleeveattached thereto, disengaging the spring pressed ball 63 from the lowergroove 61 and allowing it to be moved into engagement with the uppergroove, holding the clutch parts out of engagement with each other.Consequently, the shaft 31`will not be rotated by the worm gear andthere will be no change in the length of stroke of the thread guide. Ifit is desired, the attachment can be maintained in inoperative positionuntil a predetermined number o f layers of thread have been placed onthe spool and then the attachment can be moved instantly into operativeposition. If this method the tapered portion of the thread body is givena firm and solid foundation. After the doi is nished and the stroke hasbeen decreased the desired amount the clutch knob is pulled upwardlydisengaging the yclutch as outlined above.

From the above description itwill readily be appreciated that I haveprovided asimple and eflicient mechanism whereby a yarn body may beformed having the slanting ends thereof built up in such a manner thatthe treating liquids used in the after treatment of the yarn will passevenly therethrough. Moreover, the stroke changing device is soconstructed as to be easily attached to machines of standardconstruction without requiring the re-arrangement of the parts thereof.

Although the foregoing description has been directed specically to theconstruction illustrated it is obvious to those skilled in the art thatthe device may be modified inv many mechanical details without departingfrom the spirit or scope of the invention and I therefore desire it tobe understood that I reserve the privilege of resorting to allmechanical changes to which the device is susceptible, the inventionbeing dened and limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Having now described my invention as required by the patent statuteswhat I desire to claim as new 1s:

1. In a machine of the class and for the purpose described, thecombination of a traverse bar, means for reciprocating said traversebar, comprising, a lever pivotally secured thereto, a second lever,means connecting said levers, means for oscillating said levers, meansprogressively to decrease the length of stroke of said traverse barcomprising a housing secured to said second lever, a screw journaledtherein and having one end operatively connected to said leverconnecting means, a ratchet operatively connected to said screw, andmeans to actuate said ratchet comprising a lever arm carrying pawl.

2. In a machine of the class and for the purpose described, thecombination of a traverse bar, means for reciprocating said traversebar, comprising, a lever pivotally secured thereto, a second lever,means connecting said levers, means for oscillating said levers, meansprogressively to decrease the length of stroke of said traverse barcomprising a housing secured to said second lever, a screw journaledtherein and having one end operatively connected to said leverconnecting means, a ratchet device operatively connected to said screwand means to actuate said ratchet device, whereby said lever connectingmeans is shifted to reduce the arc of oscillation of said levers, andmeans to disengage the connection between said ratchet and spool.

3. In a machine of the class and for the purpose described, thecombination of a traverse bar, means for reciprocating said traversebar, comprising, a lever pivotally secured thereto, a second lever,means connecting said levers, means for oscillating said levers, meansprogressively to decrease the length of stroke of said traverse barcomprising a housing secured to said second lever, a screw journaledtherein and having one endoperatively connected to said lever connectingmeans, a ratchet operatively connected to said screw, and means toactuate said ratchet comprising a lever arm carrying pawl, and means todisengage the connection between said ratchet and spool.

4. In a machine of the class and for the purpose described, thecombination of a traverse bar, means for reciprocating said traversebar, comprising, a lever pivotally secured thereto, a second lever,means connecting said levers, means for oscillating said levers, meansprogressively to decrease the length of stroke of said traverse barcomprising a housing secured to said second lever,

a screw journaled therein and having one end.

operatively connected to said lever connecting means, a ratchetoperatively connected to said screw, and means to actuate said ratchetcomprising a lever arm carrying pawl linkage connecting said arm to saidmachine whereby the screw is rotated upon each oscillation of saidleier.

5. In a machine of the class and for the urpose described, thecombination of a traverse ar, means for reciprocating said traverse baromprising a lever pivotally secured thereto, a se ond lever, means foroscillating said lever, means rogressively to decrease the length ofstroke of aid traverse bar comprising a housing secured to aid secondlever, a screw journaled therein and having one end operativelyconnected to said lever connecting means, a ratchet, a clutch mechanismoperatively connecting said ratchet to said screw and means to actuatesaid ratchet.

6. In a machine of the class and for the purpose described, thecombination of a traverse bar, means'for reciprocating said traverse barcomprising a lever pivotally secured thereto, a second lever, means foroscillating said lever, means progresively to decrease the length ofstroke of said traverse bar comprising a housing secured to said secondlever, a screw journaledtherein and having one end operatively connectedto said lever connecting means, a ratchet, a clutch mechanismoperatively connecting said ratchet to said screw and means to actuatesaid ratchet, means on said housing to hold said ratchet against reversemovement.

7. In a machine of the class and for the purpose described, thecombination of a traverse bar, means for reciprocating said traverse barcomprising a lever pivotally secured thereto, a second lever, means foroscillating said lever, means progressively to decrease the length ofstroke of said traverse bar comprising a housing secured to' said secondlever, a screw journaled therein and having one end operativelyconnected to said lever connecting means, a ratchet, a clutch mechanismoperatively connecting said ratchet to said screw and means to actuatesaid ratchet, a pawl on said housing adapted to holdsaid ratchet againstreverse movement. V

RALPH H. CARTER.

